Spirit of Elijah

G. Thomas Sharp • March 20, 2020

The prophet Elijah is mentioned over 50 times in Scripture. Have you ever wondered why? Moreover, the prophet Malachi records the Lord’s prophecy, “Behold, I will send Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the LORD” (Malachi 4:5).

I presently do not believe there is any Scriptural support that would justify the idea that Elijah is going to return to the earth bodily before the second coming of Jesus Christ (unless it may be at the time of the second coming?).

So, this must be referring to the coming of the Spirit of Elijah. Because it does, we must take a serious look at Matthew 11:7-14, John 1:21 and Luke 1:17 (the reader should read carefully the first two of these references, but for this article Luke 1:17 will suffice):

And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

It seems to me that when the Scripture talks about the Spirit of Elijah, it must be referring to the work of the Holy Spirit in Elijah fashion or style. Plainly, the work of the Holy Spirit with Elijah characteristics or fashion. Thus, the Scripture seems to be affirming that in the day of the Lord there will be an Elijah outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and this spiritual inundation will be reminiscent of Acts 2. Therefore, it seems the last-days figure of the church is reflected in Elijah’s life and ministry.

In the first place we must note the meaning of the name Elijah: Eli (“my God”) and Jah (“is Jehovah”) means My God is Jehovah!! To be effective in days like this, we must personally, intently know our God and we must speak to Him on a regular basis! This quality is demonstrated in Elijah even though in one episode of his life he was afraid of Jezebel.

But in the cave of his hiding (1 Kings 19), God spoke to him inquisitively (of course, He knew the answer): “Why are you here, Elijah?” So, I ask the readers, “Why are you here?” Do you know for certain why you have life? It is so easy to get lost in a crowd of friends! It is so easy to get lost in church activity! We say we are doing the work of the Lord…are we really?

God bless all the readers of this article.

Lighthouse in front of a Milky Way Galaxy sky
By Matt Miles January 23, 2026
As we begin a new year, it brings new potential and a figurative “clean slate”. Yet at all times it is always good to remember that the Lord never changes and neither does His purposes. His desire is that all come to Him for salvation. As it is not all will seek their Creator, yet He is always at work around us guiding life through the present sinful, cursed world. His purposes are always to bring glory to himself as our Great Almighty Lord God. This divine guiding, moving, and protecting of His Spirit in the affairs of life is called Providence , our theme for the year here at Creation Truth. His Providence has always been at work since the beginning, guiding for the purpose he has designed us for. Over the course of history, we as people have missed it or chosen not to follow it. Providence of the Lord is what guided His people out of Egypt to the Promised Land. Even while suffering judgment for their sin in the desert, there was Providence , providing for their needs with daily manna and encouraging them on to the Promised Land. At just the right time, Providence bestowed to us a Savior, Jesus Christ. Never would we have planned or made provision for the Savior of the world in the manner He came to earth. All of His work while in the flesh was done to point us to Him and His Glory. Providence was fulfilled on the cross for all eternity with the way for all to find the Lord and salvation, to be guided out of death and overcome the trial of this life through His death, burial and resurrection. Providence , 250 years ago, guided our country’s forefathers to seek a land to freely worship their Creator and Savior, with freedom from tyranny and a pursuit of liberty for all. Even though not all were followers of the Lord, it was still more than evident that they knew His Providence had a protecting hand on us. Only by His great Providence did we become a country, for the Lord knew we would become a beacon of that freedom and, ultimately, the only true freedom that comes from Christ. Through many trials and failures in history we have sinned before our Lord, and we must continually repent and seek Him for forgiveness. His Providence has allowed our nation of people from many tongues and tribes to melt together. We have been, and I pray continue to be, the largest Christian nation in the world, proclaiming who He is before all else.  This year, as we focus on His Providence , may you seek Him and be reminded of all the times He has guided, protected and blessed you for His name. David wrote in Psalm 31:3-5 of the Lord’s Providence : “For You are my high rock and my fortress; For Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me. You will bring me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength. Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O Yahweh, God of truth.”(LSB) We at Creation Truth Foundation look forward to another year of opportunities to serve, champion, and exalt His Name. May you be guided, protected and blessed through Providence this year.
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By Ryan Cox January 23, 2026
EACH OF THESE ARTICLES ARE EXCERPTS FROM AMERICA’S EPIC ADVENTURE TM - CTF'S NEWEST VBS CURRICULUM From Lesson 1: The Pilgrims, Walking by Faith in the Lord – Proverbs 3:5-6
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